Aruba in the Caribbean Sea situated about 24 km offshore Venezuela has 182 km2 and is 31.36 km long by 9.6 km wide. The highest point is Mount Jamanota with 185 m / al (or 617 feet).

Its capital is Oranjestad, a charming town that closely resembles the Netherlands, which is not least being that because Aruba is part of Dutch territory, although the degree of autonomy achieved long ago.

Despite being one of Aruba’s most popular resorts in the world and one of the best diving destination, with its large hotel chain, also has natural areas represented mainly by the National Park and Arikok Bubali Bird Sanctuary.

Interestingly, natural areas and even in altered areas met the Divi-divi (Caesalpinia coriaria), whose distribution extends from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and northern South America, but they are very famous and somewhat protected in island.

According to information obtained on the Internet (and www.birdlist.org www.arubabirds.com), Aruba has 207 species of birds, 70 residents and 164 migrants. The rarest bird of the island is the chicken of water-Fulica caribaea (Caribbean Coot), with only about 100 individuals in the wetlands of the island, which we were lucky to see one. (see also BIRDS OF ARUBA, by Antonio Silveira)

Arikok National Park created in 2000 is administered by a foundation, has 20 miles of trails and protect natural areas and arid part of the island and its coast, with caves and natural swimming pools (http://www.arubanationalpark.org/). But the Bubali Bird Sanctuary protects one of the main wetlands of the Caribbean, including a site is RAMSAR. But there are other flooded areas, especially in Palm Beach, home to major hotels and easy to be visited, as are adjacent to the coastal road that passes behind the hotels.

In our stay in this beautiful island, we always make observations in the flooded areas, areas of hotels and visit Sancturay Bubali Bird, where he delighted in the beauty of the place.

The Bubali Plas, as is known, is a public reserve, formed by a complex of interconnected lakes and wetlands, providing an important refuge for wildlife, especially waterfowl. In this site there is a tower (viewpoint) of about 6 feet tall, which allows the observer to be comfortably protected from the sun and with a fantastic view of much of the area.

There are many species of birds living on the island and many migrants use their lakes and wetlands to rest and feed.

In Aruba there are many beautiful beach and good for diving, whichcan be seen the famous marine fauna of the Caribbean.

Therefore, besides the fine hotels and beautiful beaches of Aruba has many interesting natural sites for those who like to observe nature.

I have visited Aruba since 2.000 in May and November. Here are pictures that we recorded in Aruba to show their beauty. by Antonio Silveira

1- Oranjestad: a charming town

2- Dividivi (Caesalpinia coriaria) (abaixo/below)

3. Wetland of Palm Beach

4. Bubali Bird Sanctuary

5. Arikok National Park

6. Malmok region

7. West point

8. Palm Beach

9. Fauna record by us in Aruba

Birds of Aruba:

See our birdlist of Aruba, with 87 species of birds observed and identified in ours visits in Aruba (nov2010/nov2015), with notes of sites, inBIRDS OF ARUBA, by Antonio Silveira